Baddeck, the Beginning and the End of the Cabot Trail

It’s no secret that the Cabot Trail is one of the biggest attractions on Cape Breton, but did you know there’s an ideal place to start and finish your trip around the trail? It’s a place where you can not only lay your head but also wet your feet. Let me introduce the village of Baddeck. Located at the heart of Cape Breton, Baddeck is a natural launchpad for the ultimate Cabot Trail experience and a place known to have made even the farthest traveller feel at home.

Experiences for the adventurous!

Book a sail with Sailing CBI and set sail upon Canada’s largest inland saltwater sea, the Bras d’Or Lake, aboard the Cape Bretoner 1 luxury catamaran. Don’t forget your camera as world-famous inventors are not the only ones to have called Baddeck home, you are also sure to see bald eagles soaring over the lake and its shores.  Be sure to pack a pair of hiking boots as Baddeck also has a lot to offer hikers. Uisge Ban Falls, is an easy, beautiful 1.5km trail that will lead you to a spectacular 50-foot waterfall where you can enjoy lunch from the High Wheeler or any of Baddeck’s quaint cafés. If hiking isn’t your favourite thing to do, try heading out on one of the Inverary Resort’s paddleboards, kayaks or pontoon boats, or pull out your clubs at the Bell Bay golf course. Any way you slice it, the Village of Baddeck has a bucket list day for any traveller willing to adventure outdoors and get his or her feet wet in maritime charm.

A World of History

Deserving of a day on its own is the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Learn about the geniuses of Alexander Graham Bell and Mabel Bell and how they found themselves here in Cape Breton. You can build your own kite (one of AGB’s favourite hobbies) while overlooking the lake and the lands where he carried out many of his ground-breaking experiments and where Mabel carefully planned their gardens. The museum hosts many of Bell’s experiments and is home to replicas of Mabel Bell’s gardens.

See-Food!

If it’s seafood you’re chasing, Baddeck has you covered. Head on over to the Baddeck Lobster Suppers where you can enjoy a fresh lobster alongside ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ mussels and chowder. Or walk towards the community wharf for your pick of either The Freight Shed, Bell Buoy, or Three Doors Down Diner. If it’s a late-night craving, skip over to Tom’s Pizza, an island-wide favourite, and take in a slice of pizza while listening to a local musician strumming their guitar to your favourite tune.

Do you hear what I hear?

The main street in Baddeck is home to daily live music in the summer months. Here you can find yourself taking part in the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh for a daily dose of authentic Celtic music or pull up a chair at the Bras d’Or Yacht Club (live music on Sunday afternoons!) and try a local pint of Big Spruce beer. If you find yourself here on a Wednesday consider making the ten-minute drive to the Gaelic College for their signature Wednesday Night Ceilidhs that will be sure to get you tapping your feet to the sound of world-acclaimed Celtic musicians.

The Beginning and End of the World-Famous Cabot Trail

Not only is there a lot to do and see in Baddeck but it’s also a great place to book your accommodations as a base for exploring the rest of Cape Breton Island. Baddeck is centrally located an hour on both sides from either entrance of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. So whether you decide to drive the Cabot Trail clockwise or counter-clockwise, the Village of Baddeck is an ideal place to rest your head and make the most of your Cape Breton adventures. The hardest decision will be choosing what to see first!